Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The Houston Texans have acquired quarterback Ryan Mallett from the New England Patriots for a conditional sixth or seventh-round pick in 2016, a source said on Sunday.

Mallett had served as the primary backup for Tom Brady in each of the last two seasons after being drafted in the third round in 2011. A 6'6" quarterback out of Arkansas, Mallett will enter Houston as the backup for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Texans will waive Case Keenum in order to make room for Mallett and still have rookie Tom Savage on the depth chart. It was a rookie in New England that led to the trade as Jimmy Garoppolo completed 46 of 79 passes for 618 yards and five touchdowns in the preseason.

During limited action this year, Mallett was just 14-for-26 passing in three games with one touchdown.